Gerald D. Smith Jr. Is the Lead Education Specialist for Youth Development Programs within the Smithsonian’s Office for the Under Secretary of Education working with museum experts to develop out of school curriculums for programs across the nation. He holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Xavier University of Louisiana, with research centered on culturally relevant pedagogy and developing agency among students of color. With over two decades of experience as an educator and leader, Gerald has worked across classrooms, schools, and professional learning networks to design transformative learning experiences. He is a longtime collaborator with Harvard’s Project Zero and the Smithsonian Institution, creating programs that integrate critical thinking, student voice, and real-world problem-solving.